Series Mania 2025 showcases upcoming crime series trends

Series Mania 2025 began on March 21 in Lille, France, with the opening night showing of Apple TV+'s "Carême." This festival is known as Europe's leading TV event, drawing huge crowds and industry attention. Attendance at Series Mania is higher than ever, with around 4,600 delegates expected. Julia Fidel from ZDF noted that the festival now combines various aspects of the TV industry, making it a valuable marketplace. It seems to be filling the gap left by MipTV, which has changed its focus. New features at this year's festival include a Buyers Upfront event that will showcase upcoming shows such as "Riot Women" and "War of the Kingdoms." This year's program aims to attract more mainstream projects and talents, according to Series Mania director Francesco Capurro. A major trend in the industry is a focus on safer investments, often leaning towards adaptations of popular books or familiar genres. Guy Bisson from Ampere Analysis highlights a return of global streamers to co-productions, particularly in crime and thriller genres, which still dominate scripted content. Crime dramas continue to be a favorite, making up a significant portion of scripted commissions in Europe. Examples showcased at the festival include "Weiss & Morales," featuring a detective duo set in the picturesque Canary Islands. Series Mania also features innovative storytelling outside of crime, with shows like "Generations," which explores family dynamics through a dark mystery. Many competing titles reflect ongoing social issues, aligning with current trends and audience interests. Public broadcasters are leading scripted commissions in Europe, with 52% of new series coming from them in late 2024. This contrasts with commercial broadcasters and streamers, who account for smaller shares of new content. The festival has already announced several deals, including global distribution rights for the dystopian series "Vaka" and upcoming adaptations of popular titles like "Gulliver's Travels." Other projects, such as "The Corsican Line" and "Love Bait," are also set to debut, showcasing the festival's vibrant market activity.